A video-review for Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Space Time Continuum Disorder:

Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Space Time Continuum Disorder Video Review

loading...

In Darren MacPhail's latest video review, he takes a look at the recently-released follow-up to a well-received indie game released back in 2013 from French development studio Shiro Games.

The original Evoland offered a unique take on the traditional RPG formula by presenting a timeline that went through . Rather than presenting something entirely new for the sake of it, Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Space Time Continuum Disorder is instead, appropriately enough, an evolution of what came before it. Thankfully, this also appears to be set in an entirely different timeline from the original so players won't have to play the first Evoland to get comfortable with the sequel. 

As the subtitle gives away, you play a protagonist who must travel through time in order to save the world. Along the way, he will meet both friends and foes alike that may help or endanger his journey. There is plenty of referential humor found in the story as callbacks for fans of the RPG genre, along with a graphical style that that goes from one console era to the next - 8bit, 16bit, and modern day 3D graphics.

As far as the gameplay is concerned, there is a heavy dose of Zelda influence, the combat is a real highlight here. There is a heavy variety of gameplay styles that will leave fans with an enjoyable experience. Minor gripes about the soundtrack and performance issues aside, this is well worth the look. To learn more, check out Darren;s video review above.

Score: 8/10

Alex Brock (WeGotThisCovered) has reviewed Evoland 2:

Shiro Games’ catchily titled Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder features a story that not only traverses space and time but also almost every video game genre known to man. Everything from intense and frantic shoot ‘em ups to Professor Layton-style brainteasers are featured in this charming, unique and nostalgic indie RPG that explores the history of the medium.

Released in 2013, the first Evoland is a journey that retraced the history of one video game genre in particular – RPGs. As the game progressed, the setting evolved from a retro 2D landscape to one that was rendered in HD. Evoland was well-received by critics for its innovative concept and references to video game history but faced criticism for its lack of variety and short length. There were also concerns that its original concept of journeying through video game history had potential that was not fully realized.

Upon playing Evoland 2, it’s almost immediately clear that Shiro Games have taken this criticism on board for the sequel. The game presents an engaging and fairly complex plot that focuses on a party of characters as they are warped through time, with a devastating war between humans and demons as the backdrop. The past is portrayed through a retro appearance and soundtrack reminiscent of old 2D Legend of Zelda titles. The future, meanwhile, takes on a glorious and wonderful looking 3D cel-shaded art style.

Despite the more extensive narrative, the backstory and the main characters still feel a bit cliché – although, it can be argued this was done purposively to be reminiscent of old-school RPGs, such as Final Fantasy. The time travelling aspect is really well done, however, and the story features all the mind-bending confusion and complexity that messing with time entails. The ability to explore the world of Evoland 2 as it develops through time provides enough of an incentive to keep playing and ties in well with the title’s ambition to journey through the history of gaming. [...]

Score: 4/5 - Great

Evoland 2 is a creative and inventive success which improves on the first in every way and accomplishes its mission to explore the history of gaming.

Trailer:

Don Parsons (TechRaptor) has reviewed Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder and he's impressed:

[...] Evoland 2 uses a set of 3 main time periods—the past 50 years ago, the present, and 50 years in the future—each of which have their own art style and events going on. The art style changes here are the main thing that harken to the technological focus of Evoland 1, but they do very well fitting the idea of how things worked, and the future 3D stuff in particular stood out as very well done and smooth. That’s not to say the past and present weren’t—it’s just at times for me they tended to run more together with their art styles, though there are definite differences as well.

In general though, while the different periods are a key feature to the game, the standout thing for Evoland 2 is the writing. Evoland , is quite simply in my opinion one of the smartest and wittiest written games I’ve seen in a long time. While Evoland 2 utilizes a lot of the same Hero’s Journey path you’re used to seeing in games, it executes it incredibly well for the most part and utilizes what is there to the best of its abilities, while surrounding it with a lot of incredibly smart writing. [...]

Overall, Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a labor of love that celebrates the best of gaming and takes you through a wonderfully written tale. While there were some technical issues, it was relatively minor with some texture errors and a couple crashes through my playtime, but it has been improved since the preview and there’s every reason to believe the team at Shiro Games will continue to do so.

Score: 8.5 Great

Summary:

Evoland 2 is a treasure to play with some of the best writing and wit in games to be seen in years.

The release date for Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder, has been set to the 25th of August.

Bordeaux, France – July 15, 2015 – French indie developer Shiro Games today announced that Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder, the time-traveling, genre-spanning standalone follow-up to the 2013 indie hit Evoland, will release worldwide on digital storefronts for Windows PC on August 25, 2015, with Mac and Linux versions to follow soon after. Players who pre-order Evoland 2 through the official website at www.evoland2.com will receive a special 10% off discount as well as a digital art book.

A unique RPG adventure on a grand scale, Evoland 2 takes players on a truly epic journey through time and across a variety of classic and contemporary video game styles. Filled with homages, a wide variety of gameplay genres, and a graphical style that evolves throughout the game, Evoland 2 is an RPG adventure bursting with charm and character. Players can expect exciting beat-’em-up battles, captivating puzzles, pixel-perfect platforming, a tense shoot-’em-up segment, and much, much more.

“By confirming to our fans when Evoland 2 will release, we hope the excitement and anticipation will garner further awareness of this very special game,” said Sebastien Vidal, CEO of Shiro Games. “We are taking every measure to deliver a memorable experience that delivers on the original vision we had set for the original Evoland. This is going to be an epic adventure through the world of videogames and we hope players will join us.”

The story of Evoland 2 revolves around a hero who must protect the strange world he lives in by learning to understand events in different timelines, and in turn attempt to alter a grim future for the better. With a strange secret buried within the core of this world affecting the course of time itself and powerful forces at play, can he change the world’s destiny or is it already set in stone?

The original Evoland released in early 2013 for PC and Mac via Steam as well as on mobile devices, and has sold over 500,000 copies to date. Developer Shiro Games has absorbed critic and user feedback garnered from the original Evoland and has expanded its development team significantly in its endeavor to fully realize – and exceed – the original game’s vision. Evoland 2 is a standalone experience, and the player’s enjoyment will not be dependent upon playing the first Evoland. Existing fans will also appreciate the host of new gameplay styles and elements to warrant experiencing the world in an entirely new way while maintaining the game’s familiar charm.

Evoland 2 has been announced last year apparently, but I just noticed it, as over a week ago a press release was sent out (that I missed).

Anyway, if you are into adventure RPGs with a twist, this game might be something. It's predecessor is available on their site and GOG and this game can be pre-ordered DRM free, with a discount of 10%.

Bordeaux, France – 14 May 2015 - French indie developer Shiro Games today provided the first glimpse of Evoland 2, the follow-up to the 2013 indie hit Evoland, with the release of a new gameplay trailer. An RPG adventure on a grand scale, “Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder” takes players on a truly epic journey through time, and across a variety of classic and contemporary video game styles. Filled with homages,all-new types gameplay, and a graphical style that evolves as you progress, Evoland 2 is an RPG adventure bursting with charm and character and set to release in summer 2015 for PC.

"We are very excited to finally show our fans and new players alike what to expect from Evoland 2,” said Nicolas Cannasse, creator of Evoland. “To see Evoland evolve from a game jam demo to a much beloved indie title was an amazing journey,and now we are finally able to expand on our original vision. We have had incredible fun creating this game and hope players feel the same way as they explore Evoland 2.”

Evoland 2 revolves around a hero trying to protect the strange world he lives in, to understand events in different timelines and attempt to alter a grim future for the better. With a strange secret buried within the core of this world, affecting the course of time itself, and such powerful forces at play, can he make a difference or the world’s destiny already set in stone?

Players who pre-order Evoland 2, set for release this summer, through the official Shiro Games website will receive a special 10% discount and a digital art book.

 

ABOUT EVOLAND 2
Evoland 2, A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder is a full-blown RPG adventure with an epic story, deep combat and customisation options, dozens of characters to interact with and varied locations to visit. Typical for the Evoland series, the graphic style evolves through the course of the game, from 8-bit sprites to full 3D battles, and loosens up the new adventure with a wide variety of gameplay sections parodying different genres. Players can expect beat ‘em up battles in the streets, challenging puzzles, pixel-perfect platforming and a tense shoot’em up - plus more.